The message is from James 2: 14-20 "Let your faith be seen."

By Kevin Harvey

Observations on Faith and works We believe well the scriptures as it says in

Eph 2;8-9 ...

Ephesians 2:8-9
New American Standard Bible (NASB)

8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;  
9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.

We know that all our "works" here in this life can "never" get us to glory. Rom 3;23-24...


Romans 3:23-24
New American Standard Bible (NASB)

23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus;

We know that Christ is the way, the truth, and the life.
ref: John 14 v 6.

We know Acts 4 v 12 "Nor is there salvation in any other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved"Then along comes James with his epistle. Lets take a look into these passages. ((open in prayer)) James 2 v 14-18 : ff


James 2:14-18 ff
New American Standard Bible (NASB)

Faith and Works
14 What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but he has no works? Can that faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,” and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that? 17 Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself.

18 But someone may well say, “You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works.”19 You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder. 20 But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless?

James 3 v 13-18


James 3:13-18
New American Standard Bible (NASB)

Wisdom from Above
13 Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth. 15 This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic. 16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing. 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle,reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy. 18 And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

James makes a statement in 2 v 14-18 "what good is faith without works"? The conclusion useless....

In chapter 3 v 13, we see clear, practical, Godly advice, commands, warnings, encouragement, definitions that can inspire us.

First, lets look at the warning: James 3 14-16: But if there be 


A) Bitterness or envy in our hearts or self-seeking, then we stand guilty of lying against the truth.

Bitterness... destroys all involved etc.

Envy... what good ever comes from it etc.

Self-seeking...

Then strong words here: All such things are unwise, not from above, but earthly, sensual, and demonic.


We must 
A) repent of it 
B) agree with the Truth
C) Humble ourselves before God

Here is a beautiful promise found in James 1 V 5:

"Ask in Faith for Gods wisdom which he gives freely"


Godly wisdom from above and the works that bring Glory to God and bear fruit in this life are first 


A) pure and simple 
B) peaceable, gentle
C) Willing to yield ,ie in other words humble


Conclusion: "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble"

Therefore we must humble ourselves before God and before each other and have the kind of faith that is not useless, but rather useful to God and to man.